By virtue of their recent dominance of the Pac-10, the UCLA
women’s soccer team now plays with a target squarely on their
chests.
The No. 4 Bruins have won three consecutive Pac-10 titles and
are well on their way to a fourth this year after beating USC 2-1
in overtime Sunday to improve to 3-0 in the conference. In order
for any other team to claim the throne, they must go through UCLA,
but although the team is young, the Bruins have handled the added
pressure well.
“It’s kind of weird because every year it gets
harder because you have more to lose,” said coach Jill Ellis.
“The underdog role is always easier. I think this team is
starting to deal with pressures as the season goes on (though), so
I’m pleased.”
A key to UCLA’s success has been their dominance of
crosstown rival USC. The Bruins are undefeated against the Trojans
in the past 10 matches, having last lost in 1998. In Pac-10 play,
each teams play against each other only once, so every game carries
extra importance.
The rivalry has brought out the best in both teams, and every
year seems to create a playoff-like atmosphere in a regular-season
game. The increased level of intensity helps both teams prepare for
the increased pressures they will face in the postseason.
“I still can’t really pinpoint why the UCLA-USC
rivalry is what it is,” said redshirt senior Stacy Lindstrom.
“I guess because it’s crosstown and the tradition that
goes into it, but I think it’s also your school backing you
and everyone telling you how much this game means. And then the
pressure is there and you just get excited and up for this
game.”
BRUIN YOUTH BEGINS TO MATURE: With the Bruins
starting up to five freshmen this season, many of the players were
getting their first taste of the UCLA-USC rivalry. The game was
also only the fourth game the young Bruins have played on the
road.
In sports, there is often no substitute for experience, but
Ellis is happy with the way her green team responded Sunday.
“There is no environment like being in the pressure
cooker,” Ellis said. “(The freshmen) are just growing,
and they’re getting confident. The occasional mistake comes
out, but they’ve definitely improved.”
A key to the Bruin team’s play defensively has been the
performance of sophomore defender Erin Hardy. Since senior defender
Mary Castelanelli got injured, Hardy has moved up to become the
most experienced player in the back.
“Erin’s starting to become the leader,” Ellis
said. “We need more talking out of her, but she’s
steady and she does a good job. On one-on-one, she’s one of
the best defenders in the country.”
THE GAUNTLET: UCLA is 15-2-1 all-time against
USC with five of those matches being decided in overtime, including
the last three they played. The win gave UCLA five points in the
season-long Lexus Gauntlet competition. After scoring the winning
goal Sunday, Lindstrom was named the UCLA/Muscle Milk
Student-Athlete of the Week.